Battle over Pekin data center may wind up in court

The City of Pekin, Illinois, is preparing for a potential lawsuit from developer Western Hospitality Partners concerning a proposed data center project. Earlier this month, Mayor Mary Burus announced that the city would not move forward with the data center, which was planned for land owned by the city. This decision comes despite a signed contract with Western Hospitality Partners to purchase a portion of the Ludikin property for the data center's construction. According to the city's attorney, the contract with WHP did not guarantee the outcomes of council votes on rezoning, the site plan, or the redevelopment agreement. The attorney stated that for the developer to successfully file a breach of contract suit, it would need to be proven that city officials acted in bad faith. While the city itself is protected from punitive damages, individual council members could face personal lawsuits. The dispute highlights ongoing opposition and legal complexities surrounding the data center's development.